FYI: The first horror movie was "The Devil's Castle" (1896), made by French filmmaker Georges Melies; another early influential film was "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" (1919), a silent expressionistic classic from German director Robert Wiene.

Just in time for Halloween, our local movie gurus list the best in thrills and chills

The bewitching hour is nearly upon us, and if you’re looking to scare the bejesus out of yourself, look no further than the listings below for the best horror films of all time. These are movies designed to tap into our most primal fears–films depicting weird, unexplainable, terrifying phenomenon or events.

Our intrepid film fanatics, New Times Art Editor David Vienna, New Times Art Writer Glen Starkey, and Insomniac Video co-owner Bob Whiteford, teamed up to list films sure to frighten. The first three are their all-time top picks, followed by top ten lists by genre. Boo!

AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON

(1981, R)

It seemed like a recipe for box office failure: Dr. Pepper song and dance spokesman David Naughton as a leading man? A horror movie with a latent desire to be comedy? But instead of bombing, the film became as instant cult classic!

Naughton and an extremely deadpan-funny Griffin Dunne play two American college student backpacking across England. Though warned to "stay off the moors," our two hapless heroes find themselves on–gasp!–said moors, and they’re being stalked by some unknown terror. It turns out to be werewolf, which attacks our two lads, killing Dunne and badly injuring Naughton.

As Naughton recovers from his injuries under the care of sexy English nurse Jenny Agutter, he begins to suffer horrible nightmares. Then to top it off, his dead pal Dunne keeps appearing, warning Naughton that when the moon is full again, he’ll turn into a werewolf and go on a killing spree! Dunne, who keeps returning in increasingly decomposed form, suggests suicide, while lamenting his condition as one of the walking dead: "Kill yourself and release me! Have you ever talked to dead people? They’re boring!"

The uncomfortable tension between the belly laughs and jump-out-of-your-skin scares makes for a weird movie experience. And the dream-within-a-dream sequence was a groundbreaking technique at the time, and so scary that many theater seats became urine-soaked!

Rick Baker’s special effects, along with those of Rob Bottin ("The Howling"), were simply mind-blowing 20 years ago! You saw growing hair! Body-morphing! Teeth growing! And it looked as real as can be.

Add to the mix a terrific soundtrack of moon-related songs such as Creedence Clearwater Revival’s "Bad Moon Rising" and Van Morrison’s "Moondance," and you’ve got yourself a smart, pop culture classic.

–Glen "Fullmoon" Starkey

THE EXORCIST

(1973, R)

Back in 1973, when "The Exorcist" was first released and was a box-office sensation, I was a reed-thin 15-year-old with long, greasy hair playing hooky from school in a frantic attempt to catch a matinee of this all-time classick. Being "The Exorcist" was rated R (and a hard R at that), my chances of catching this without an adult were slim and none.

I was 15 but looked 12 and had been turned away from several movie theaters when I came up with a plan fueled by desperation and too much T.V. I used an old, tired Abbott and Costello gimmick from 1941's "Who Done It." The boys would walk into a theatre or arena backwards while paying patrons would cue up to the box office window. "We got into a lotta 'rasslin matches and Roller Derby usin' this trick, Abbott!" Rubbing sweaty palms in the parking lot, I waited for my chance. I hung by the front, out of sight of the ushers. Suddenly there was a commotion at the box office, some kind of Catholic rhubarb (Cardinal O'Connor and the archdiocese of New York did not share movie fans’ passion for "The Exorcist," which was helping to fuel the box office fire). Exploiting this moment of "divine intervention," I made my move. Using Bud and Lou's classic bit, I walked backwards into the theatre and into celluloid history. I may even have tripped over my ragged bell bottoms with a grace more Jerry Lewis then Fred Astaire–but nobody noticed!

Once inside, the packed house was treated to the most terrifying movie spectacle of all-time. Pretty young Regan (Linda Blair of "Rollerboogie") is possessed by the devil. Her high-strung actress mom, played to perfection by the wonderful Ellen Burstyn, turns in desperation to a Catholic priest who is losing his faith, a priest named Father Karras (Jason Miller, a playwright who gives nothing short of an amazing performance–the scenes with his ailing, elderly mother in a decaying apartment and neighborhood are poignant and powerful).

Karras, knowing he is out of his league, turns to Father Marren (Max von Sydow) an old hand at going toe-to-toe with Lucifer. During the possession a murder is committed. Seems a director friend of Ellen Burstyn (Jack MacGowran, who died during the production of "The Exorcist") was thrown out of Regan’s window with his head on backwards (Abbot and Costello fans take note!), thus adding homicide inspector and old movie buff, Lt. Kinderman (Lee J.Cobb, "On the Waterfront," "Our Man Flint") to the macabre mix.

What is unique about "The Exorcist" is that it’s a big budget, A-movie with an Oscar winning screenplay by William Peter Blatty and outstanding performances by a stellar cast under superb direction by William Friedkin ("The French Connection," "Boys in the Band," "The Brinks Job," "Jade"). When the restored version was re-released in 1999 with new footage and editing, it was one of the biggest grossing films of that year! Proof positive of the film’s classic status as not only a horror watershed but as a great example of movie making from America's greatest filmmaking period, the early 1970s. "The Exorcist" gets my vote as the greatest horror film of all-time!!!

–Bob "Head Spinner" Whiteford

THE SHINING

(1980, R)

Talk about cabin-fever! Late director Stanley Kubrick ("2001: A Space Odyssey," "Clockwork Orange") and Jack Nicholson provide us with this terrifying tale of madness drawn from isolation and the occasional ghost. Nicholson is Jack Torrence, a struggling writer who takes his wife, Wendy (Shelly Duvall), and son Danny (Danny Lloyd) along on his job as caretaker of a remote hotel during a notoriously bad winter. Soon, Jack is off the wagon, talking to ghosts, and mistaking his family for firewood.

There are many classic scenes in this film that have become a part of horror culture and pop culture thanks to Kubrick's unique touch. Little Danny's scratchy-voiced "Redrum," the elevator unleashing a flood of blood, the dead twins eerily standing in the hallway and, of course, Jack's mad hunt through the labyrinth all make this one of very few recent films that break out of the horror genre into the arena of great films. Interestingly, what is arguably the most famous line in the film–when Jack hacks his way through the bathroom door, sticks his face in, and yells "Here's Johnny!"–was improvised by Nicholson.

Despite its status as a classic, this film has a bit of a hard reputation. According to the "Guinness Book of World Records," this film holds the record for the most takes of a shot in a film. The rumor is Kubrick did 127 takes to capture the shot were Duvall climbs the stairs near the end of the film. Not to mention Stephen King, author of the book the film is based on, made no bones about the fact that he hated Kubrick's version. He called it a Cadillac with no engine. In fact, in 1997, King finally wrote and produced his own version for television. Of course, by then Kubrick's was so ingrained as the quintessential telling, King's take on his own story met with little success.

–David "Redrum" Vienna

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Anthologies of anguish

BLACK SABBATH (1963, Unrated)

An Italian import (AKA "Tre volti della paura") featuring an introduction by Boris Karloff and three tales of terror. Apparently, the way this flick is arranged served as inspiration for Quentin Tarantino’s "Pulp Fiction." It is seen as a classic anthology horror flick and was followed by a few sequels.

CAT’S EYE (1985, PG-13)

Stephen King provides the stories (two of which are based on short stories from his collection "Night Shift") in this trilogy of tales. The third story is a little weak, but features a young Drew Barrymore, a stray cat, and a tiny troll. Look for the opening sequence which makes reference to many different King stories.

CREEPSHOW (1982, R)

Ed Harris, Ted Danson, Leslie Neilsen, and Stephen King are all featured in this movie inspired by the old EC horror comics of the 1950s. All five stories are written by Stephen King and directed by George A. Romero ("Night of the Living Dead"). It spawned the sequel anthology "Creepshow 2." Not as good, but just as gross.

DEAD OF NIGHT (1945, Unrated)

The now cliché doll-comes-to-life story originated in this movie. One of the segment directors was Charles Crichton, who’s last film was the British romp "A Fish Called Wanda."

GRIM PRAIRIE TALES (1990, R)

This flick has the unique distinction of being the only Western horror anthology. The wraparound story features heavy-hitters Brad Dourif ("One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest") and James Earl Jones ("Field of Dreams").

SPIRITS OF THE DEAD (1968, R)

Another Italian import (AKA "Tre passi nel delirio"), this one featuring Brigitte Bardo, Jane Fonda, and Terrence Stamp. Each tale in the trilogy is virtually bloodless, one of which was directed by Federico Fellini.

TALES FROM THE CRYPT (1972, PG)

Joan Collins and Peter Cushing are part of a group of five people that get trapped in a crypt with a strange man who shows each of them their fate. Surprisingly bloody for a PG film.

TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE (1990, R)

Christian Slater, Steve Buscemi, Julianne Moore, the ageless William Hickey, David Johansen (AKA Buster Poindexter), and Debbie Harry all star in this anthology. Stephen King and George A. Romero ("Creepshow") reunited for the story called "Cat From Hell." Watch Johansen swallow a puddy-tat. Tasty.

TRILOGY OF TERROR (1975, Unrated)

OK, this was a television movie, but anyone who saw it when it came out is still plagued by nightmares of that spastic voodoo doll chasing Karen Black around her apartment.

TWILIGHT ZONE (1983, PG)

Directors Joe Dante ("Gremlins"), John Landis ("American Werewolf in London"), Steven Speilberg ("Close Encounters of the Third Kind"), and George Miller ("Mad Max") all recreate classic episodes of Rod Serling’s legendary series. The wraparound story features Albert Brooks and Dan Akroyd providing the biggest scare in the film.

 

Camp classics

ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES (1977, PG)

Considered one of the deliberately worst horror films ever, where no cliché is left unexploited, the 100 minute director's cut is a must see as thousands of tomatoes begin attacking people!

BILLY THE KID VERSUS DRACULA (1966, Unrated)

John Carradine as Dracula, who travels the Old West trying to put the bite on a pretty ranch owner. But Billy to the rescue! Usually seen around 4 or 5 a.m. on channel 11 or 13....

BLOOD DINER (1987, Unrated)

A couple of sicko, demon-possessed brothers murder and butcher young girls, then serve them up in their diner. People still "eat this up." Owes a lot to "2000 Maniacs."

BRIDE OF THE MONSTER (1955, Unrated)

Bela Lugosi is a mad scientist attempting to create a race of giants in this Ed Wood classic–so bad it’s good! It marks Wood, Lugosi, and Tor Johnson's "best" work together!

DEAD ALIVE (1993, R or NC-17)

Peter Jackson's version of overkill features a monkey-bitten mom cum ghoul, whose son tries to protect her from harm as the blood spurts and the laughs roll. Check out the NC-17 version if ya can find it!

EVIL DEAD (trilogy)

Man you gotta love these! Sam Raimi is a genius! The first Evil Dead (1983, NC-17) features vacationing college students who accidentally unleash demons, turning the kids into killer monsters. Two sequels followed.

FROM DUSK TILL DAWN (1995, R)

Panned upon release, this film put red-hot Quentin Tarantino in a career deep freeze. It begins as an escaped con movie, but turns into a blood sucking vampire fest midway through.

MONSTER FROM THE SURF (1965, Unrated)

So bad. So much fun. Jon "Ramar" Hall's last film. Catch a wave and die. Music by Frank Sinatra Jr....

NIGHT OF THE GHOULS (1959, Unrated)

Ed Wood and Tor Johnson return in the sequel to "Bride of the Monster." A spiritualist is ripping people off by pretending he can raise the dead, but oops!, then he actually does, and they go after him. Classically inept Wood direction. Duke Moore's greatest role....

2000 MANIACS (1964, Unrated)

Hershell Gordon Lewis' visionary gore "classick" still is a stomach turning riot! A Civil War ghost town takes revenge 100 years later by luring Yankees to their centennial celebrations. Lots of gore!!!

Classics from the past

BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1935, Unrated)

This classic sequel is even better than the original "Frankenstein"! This time around, Dr. F build his monster a date. More pathos! More beautiful black & white cinematography!

CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON (1954, Unrated)

Originally filmed in 3-D, this classic features one of the greatest celluloid monsters ever! An anthropological expedition discovers Gill-Man, a prehistoric humanoid fish monster with his sights set on a pretty co-ed majoring in "science." Still a great horror film...

DRACULA (1931, Unrated)

Kinda hammy, but his early talkie made Bela Lugosi a cinematic icon, even 70 years after its release! You know the story: monster terrorizes countryside in search of blood. Timeless!

FRANKENSTEIN (1931, Unrated)

The grand-daddy of 'em all, a definitive expressionist horror classic. Boris Karloff is amazing as the monster and director James Whale exhibits pure genius! Two scenes removed form the original have been restored in new packaging of the film.

FREAKS (1932, Unrated)

Tod Browning's visionary masterpiece was also called "Nature’s Mistakes," "Forbidden Love," and "The Monster Show." More popular today then ever, it features a band of circus sideshow freaks who are humiliated, but then take revenge.

NOSFERATU (1922, Unrated)

In this F.W. Murnau classic, the first screen adaptation of "Dracula," Max Schreck as the vampire was REALLY scary, wasn't he? The silent film remains one of the most atmospheric and creepy vampire movies ever made.

INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (1956, Unrated)

This post-McCarthy era film features all the paranoia of a Communist witch hunt. A California town is infiltrated by pods from outer space. A terrific PG-rated sequel starring Donald Sutherland was released in 1978.

INVISIBLE MAN (1933, Unrated)

The 1933 classic has it all–Claude Rains and James Whale at the top of their game. Chills and laughs in this film about a scientist driven insane by his formula for invisibility.

PSYCHO (1960, Unrated)

Alfred Hitchcock broke all the rules–and helped usher in the movie ratings system–with this film about cross-dressing, murder, and insanity. Grounding breaking for its time. Who could ever take a shower after seeing this seminal classic?

THE WOLF MAN (1941, Unrated)

Horror-noir in the classic Universal style. Lon Chaney Jr. is terrific as a man bitten by werewolf Bela Lugosi. Now Chaney’s dad thinks he’s insane and his girlfriend just doesn’t understand him anymore. Laughs and thrills!

 

Cult Classicks

BASKET CASE Series

The original 1982, unrated classick is about two Siamese twins–one normal and their other grossly deformed! Separated at birth, the hideous one is thrown in the trash. But brotherly ties run strong, and the two team up on a blood-soaked rampage! Followed by R-rated sequels in 1990 and 1992. Probably based on Brian DePalma’s "Sisters" (see entry under "Weird, excellent, and hard to classify" section).

CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST (1979, X)

Talk about disgusting! This film features actual animal slaughter and some of the most realistic horror ever captured on film. Did they really just chop off that penis? Is he really raping her with a rock? Not for the faint of heart!

FACES OF DEATH Series

In 1978 the first in this series hit the big screen, and we were shocked! purported to show actually death scenes, we saw a guy getting chomped by a ‘gator, a fellow falling to his death while parachuting, and we watched a monkey lose the top of its head and then have its brains eaten!

I DRINK YOUR BLOOD (1971, R)

After an old man’s drink is spiked with LSD by hippie Satanists, his grandson gets revenge by selling the hippies rabies-infected meat pies, which turns them into cannibalistic freaks!

MARK OF THE DEVIL (1969, R)

Barf bags were issued to theater goers when this film was first released. We quickly find out that romance and witchcraft don’t mix when a medieval witch hunter must torture the truth out of the citizens of a Austrian hamlet. Graphic!

NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD series

The original , unrated 1968 film was a near-instantaneous cult classic and made a star out of its director George Romero. Several people hole up in an abandoned house, struggling to some keep flesh-eating zombies out! Interesting racial sub-theme, followed by "Dawn of the Dead" (1979, R) and "Day of the Dead" (1985, R).

RE-ANIMATOR (1984, R)

A medical student revives dead bodies in this gory, black-humored cult classic based on a story by H.P. Lovecraft. Followed by "Bride of Re-Animator."

TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE Series

When director Tope Hooper put out the first R-rated version in 1974, he discovered all new uses for power tools. A summer drive turns deadly when a group of kids is pursued by a chainsaw-wielding maniac. Three sequels followed, most recently with Matthew McConaghey and Renee Zellweger!

ZOMBIE (1980, Unrated)

In this Italian low-low-budget cheapie, a bunch of white men are attacked by flesh-eating zombies. Gross-out!

ZOMBIE ISLAND MASSACRE (1984, R)

When tourists travel to a mysterious island to view a voodoo ceremony, they quickly discover they’re on the menu for some rite-resurrected zombies!

 

Ghost stories

THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT (1999, R)

Hype made and discarded what will be considered a solid little flick in a few more years. This low-budget thrill fest is about recovered footage from a witch-seeking documentary film crew that disappeared. Some viewers thought it was real, adding to the hype.

THE CHANGELING (1980, R)

George C. Scott is a music teacher who moves into an old house, only to discover it’s inhabited by the ghost of a young boy, who’s seeking revenge. This may be the best ghost movie of all-time!!!

THE FOG (1978, R)

John Carpenter’s follow-up to his success with "Halloween." A fog filled with evil spirits attacks a seaside town, seeking revenge for a past wrong. A bit on the blustery side, but some good scares nonetheless.

THE FRIGHTNERS (1996, R)

Peter Jackson scores big here with this tongue-in-cheek film about a con-man who works with a group of ghosts. They "haunt" a house, and he clears it out for the owners–for a modest fee! But when the con-man and his ghostly pales run into a malevolent spirit, things turn dangerous.

GHOST STORY (1981, R)

Four older men–Fred Astaire, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Melvyn Douglas, and John Houseman–share a hidden secret from the past, which is scaring them to death!

THE HAUNTING (1963, Unrated)

Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, and Russ Tamblyn star in this bloodless horror film about a weekend spent in a haunted manse. The home’s skeptic heir hangs out with two mediums and a parapsychologist. A 1999 remake features great special effects, but lacks the style of the original.

HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL (1958, Unrated)

A wealthy, wacked-out man (Vincent Price) throws a party, offering $10,000 to whoever survives the night. When this film hit theaters, a skeleton was dangled over the head of viewers at just the right moment! A director William Castle classic!

THE INNOCENTS (1961, Unrated)

In this very creepy version of Henry James’ classic horror novella, "A Turn of the Screw," governess Deborah Kerr takes on evil spirits at a remote English estate. Are there really ghosts, or are these visions the manifestation of the governess’ own hysteria?

POLTERGEIST (1982, PG)

"They’re here...." In this fright fest, a family living in suburbia begins noticing bizarre events in their home, which turn increasingly evil. Some exceptional jump-out-of-your-skin scares!

13 GHOSTS (1960, Unrated)

One can't talk ghost movies and forget director William Castle. In this tale, a dozen ghosts need one more to round out their ranks, and they have four victims to chose from when a family moves into their house.

 

Nature's revenge

THE BIRDS (1963, PG-13)

Sure, this one was on our list of Top 10 animal movies, but c'mon–it's simply a classic. It hatched a bunch of animal revenge knock-offs like "The Swarm," "Frogs," and "Arachnophobia." The lack of any musical score adds to the eerie realism of the characters' situation.

CUJO (1983, R)

You gotta hand it to a movie in which the bulk of the story takes place around a broken-down car. A woman and child are trapped in the jalopy as a hulking Saint-Bernard, now rabid, waits them out and picks off the occasional passer-by. Another Stephen King classic.

THE FLY (1958, Unrated; 1986, R)

Vincent Price tries out his new "matter transfer" device and accidentally switches body parts with a fly. David Cronenberg's remake opted for the switching on a genetic level, leading to a slow mutation. Gross.

GODZILLA VS. MOTHRA (1964, Unrated)

A giant moth fights a giant reptile, stomping through Tokyo in the process. You can't get much better than that. This installment of the Godzilla movies is widely seen as the best of the bunch.

JAWS (1975, PG-13)

Right, a PG-13 rating (updated from an original rating of PG) for one of the most terrifying movies ever made. This one was on our Top 10 animal list as well. Stars Roy Schieder, Richard Dreyfuss, and Robert Shaw all turned in great performances. Look for the anniversary edition with behind the scenes footage and interviews.

KINGDOM OF THE SPIDERS (1977, PG)

Spock!...spiders are...attacking the...town! Capt. James T. Kirk (AKA William Shatner) is vet Robert "Rack" Hansen who, along with a gaggle of characters, fight off an army of migrating tarantulas.

NIGHT OF THE LEPUS (1972, PG)

Let's keep this one short. Giant killer rabbits attack a town. Stars DeForrest Kelly. 'Nuff said.

OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN (1983, R)

Peter Weller defends his newly-renovated New York brownstone against a hefty rat with a bad disposition. It becomes a nightly showdown. Subtle humor helps the story.

THE PROPHECY (1979, PG)

A big corporation's waste creates a mutated bear that-surprise!-kills people. Directed by John Frankenheimer ("Ronin").

THEM! (1954, Unrated)

The quintessential nuclear-tests-make-big-animals movie. In this one, it's ants and they storm their way through the southwest. Can the government stop them in time?

 

Satanic panic!

ANGEL HEART (1987, R)

Harry Angel (Mickey Rourke) is a P.I. hired to track down someone named Johnny Favourite. But, the man who hired him is mysterious and people around Harry are dropping like flies.

THE EXORCIST Sequels

"The Exorcist 2: The Heretic" (1977, R) features Linda Blair reprising her role; she’s now under psychiatric care. Also stars Richard Burton, Ned Beatty, Max von Sydow, and James Earl Jones. "The Exorcist 3: Legion" (1990, R) features original "Exorcist" writer William Peter Blatty as the director.

FALLEN (1998, R)

Denzel Washington plays a cop tracking down a fallen angel/serial killer who can jump from body to body. This film boasts one of the most creative chase scenes ever.

THE GATE (1987, PG-13)

After a tree is removed from his backyard, Glen (a very young Stephen Dorff) must fight the forces of evil as they try to work their way into our world.

GOD TOLD ME TO (1977, R)

A series of unexplained and random murders are committed by unrelated people, including Andy Kaufman as a New York cop during a parade. What could the connection be? Director Larry Cohen ("Maniac Cop," "Return to Salem’s Lot") at his best.

HELLRAISER (1987, R)

Leave it to Clive Barker to give us this semi-sexual, gore-fest mixing pain and pleasure. This film gave us Pinhead and spawned a number of equally gory sequels.

THE OMEN (1976, R)

Gregory Peck is a U.S. ambassador who learns that his son isn’t just a naughty boy, he’s the Antichrist. Stop trying to destroy the world and go to your room!

PRINCE OF DARKNESS (1987, R)

John Carpenter didn’t blow this story about a college research team that stumble across a strange cylinder containing the son of Satan. A great shock ending and good effects make this a little-known must-see.

THE PROPHECY (1995, R)

Not to be confused with the 1979 movie of the same name. Christopher Walken plays Gabriel...yes, Gabriel the angel. He’s not nice with white wings, however. He’s a bad ass trying to bring about the end of the world.

ROSEMARY’S BABY (1968, R)

Roman Polanski’s creepy tale of Rosemary Woodhouse (Mia Farrow), who discovers she is an unwilling pawn in a sinister plot.

 

Teen horror/Slasher

CARRIE (1976, R)

John Travolta, Nancy Allen, Amy Irving and a telekinetic Sissy Spacek join forces in this excellent Brian DePalma classic about a sheltered young woman tormented by her classmates. Some real shocks!

FRIDAY THE 13TH series

A re-opened summer camp with a history of "accidental" deaths leads six new counselors hired to get the camp ready into a series of knifings, gorings, axings, spearings and what not. The R-rated 1980 original was followed by eight sequels, all of which pretty much sucked–especially "Part 8: Jason Takes Manhattan," where our hockey mask-wearing killer slices into the Big Apple.

FRIGHT NIGHT (1985, R)

Ready for some campy-scary Dracula versus the teen heroes action? Roddy McDowall plays the host of "Fright Night," the local late night horror flick series, who’s enlisted by the teenagers to help rid their neighborhood of a pesky vampire. Of course there’s a sequel (1988, R).

HALLOWEEN series

The original 1978 R-rated John Carpenter horror classic starring a young Jamie Lee Curtis (the original scream queen) is considered the first "slasher" flick, and it’s a doosy! A psycho teen escapes from an asylum and returns to wreak havoc on his old town. So many sequels you can’t count ‘em.

THE HOWLING series

The 1981 R-rated original was a recipe for success: sex, violence, nudity, and some killer Rob Bottin-created body-altering prosthetics that became the industry standard for werewolf transformations. Followed by five sequels, the second being the best.

I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER (1997, R)

After four teens accidentally "kill" someone on the road, they run from the scene of the crime and make a pact never to tell. But somebody knows, and he’s out for blood! Lots of death by fishing hooks. Followed by a sequel: "I Still Know What You Did Last Summer."

THE LOST BOYS (1987, R)

A young beautiful cast and rock‘n’roll soundtrack set the tone for this vampire flick about two brothers and their mom who move to a small town and run into a gang of teenage vampires.

NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET series

The 1984 R-Rated original was genuinely scary, with dream dancer Freddy Kruger and his knife-finger glove scaring kids to death while they slept. Like Jason ("Halloween") and Michael Myers ("Friday the 13th"), this film spawned a Freddy Kruger phenomenon. Several sequels followed.

PROM NIGHT Series

A masked killer stalks high schoolers at their senior prom in the 1980 R-rated original. Three sequels followed in this derivative gorefest coattail rider. Still, a few good scares.

SCREAM (1996, R)

This tongue-in-cheek slasher film is hilarious fun for those well schooled in the ‘80s slasher flick traditions, because it relentless pokes fun at their conventions. Self-reflexive and scary at the same time, this movie is a must see for horror buffs. The 1997 R-Rated sequel is also worth a look.

 

Weird, excellent, and hard to classify

THE AMITYVILLE HORROR (1979, R)

Purportedly based on a true story, a family moves into a house to find that it’s possessed by the demon spirit of a mass murderer who lived here and killed his whole family. Cool, weird scene with flies, and Rod Steiger as a priest. This box office biggie spawned several lame sequels.

BLACK RAINBOW (1991, R)

More a thriller than horror, this underrated film is nonetheless a scare classic. Jason Robards Jr. and Rosanna Arquette play a father-daughter duo who scams the public with clairvoyance scams, but then Arquette’s "ability" becomes real and she starts seeing murder victims before their demise.

CAT PEOPLE (1982, R)

Actually a remake of a 1942 film, the ‘82 Nastassia Kinski version is the sexy best. She’s a young hottie who discovers she’s afflicted with a family curse: she turns into a vicious panther when sexually aroused! Worse yet, she can only safely mate with her brother (Malcolm McDowell).

DEAD RINGERS (1988, R)

Jeremy Irons plays twins, both gynecologists, who descend into madness because they can’t handle their fame and wealth and the drugs and women it provides. Very chilling, and made more so by its graphic nature and the fact that it’s loosely based on a true story!

HANNIBAL (2001, R)

In this sequel to "Silence of the Lambs," we turn from psychological terror to out and out gore, and it’s a joy to behold Anthony Hopkins reprising his role. He disembowels victims, slashes throats, and makes them eat their own brains! Now that’s entertainment!

THE HUNGER (1983, R)

An überhottie 2,000-year-old vampire (Catherine Deneuve) realizes that her lover (David Bowie) is aging fast and she needs some "new blood," as it were. Enter Susan Sarandon and bring on the soft-focus lesbian love scenes! Beautiful looking film directed by Tony Scott.

THE KISS (1988, R)

Aunt Felicity comes to visit her niece in New York to entice her to join the family business of sorcery and demon possession. But stay away from that life-force sucking kiss!

LAIR OF THE WHITE WORM (1988, R)

In this Ken Russell-directed classic, a Scottish archeologist discovers a strange skull–and a strange religion to go with it! It looks at how Christianity and paganism color each other, and it’s based on the last writers of Bram Stoker, done while he was going insane from Bright’s disease!

RAVENOUS (1999, R)

Cannibalism in the Old West! The film’s subtext is its extended cannibalism metaphor equating to how we "carved up" the country during our Manifest Destiny days. Lots of chills and plenty of gore.

SISTERS (1973, R)

Director Brian DePalma proves once again that he’s a freakin’ genius. Siamese twins are separated at birth, but the surviving twin has her personality split in two–one side good, the other bad. This is DePalma’s first nod to Hitchcock and features a score by Hitchcock’s favorite composer Bernard Hermann.

 

Glen, Bob, and David couldn’t sleep for a week after seeing all these horror movies.